Thrall Hero Week

Vaeflare
2015-1-13

"For Doomhammer!"

- Thrall, Warchief of the Horde

As a child, Thrall served the cruel Aedelas Blackmoore as a slave. After gaining his freedom, he guided the liberated orcs to a land of their own and worked to recover their ancient traditions. Now and forever, he is Warchief of the Horde.

Thrall has had a long and impactful history within the Warcraft universe, and in Heroes of the Storm, he takes on the role of a hard-hitting Assassin who uses earth magic to keep himself alive while laying waste to the opposition with his mighty Doomhammer. He is just the Hero you want by your side when you rally your forces in the Nexus!

For an even more in-depth look into this iconic Warcraft Hero and his abilities, make sure to check out Thrall’s Hero Page!

"Lok’tar ogar!"

- Thrall, Warchief of the Horde

Thrall was once set to appear in the canceled game, Warcraft Adventures Lord of the Clans.

The story of the game remained important, and novel adaptation of it was released in 2001, entitled Lord of the Clans.

Thrall is the son of Durotan, the former chieftain of the Frostwolf clan of orcs.

While he was still a baby, his parents were murdered on the orders of the warlock Gul’dan.

Found and taken in by the human Aedelas Blackmoore, Thrall (“slave” in the human tongue) began his life in imprisonment, forced into gladiatorial combat.

Thrall escaped with the help of Taretha Foxton—his friend from childhood. She was one of the few humans who taught him the meaning of honor and decency.

Thrall then set out to find his true people. Thrall subsequently freed the orcs from slavery, becoming a shaman and then Warchief of the Horde.

However, the threat of the Burning Legion remained in the orcs’ lives. A prophecy convinced Thrall to bring the Horde across the Great Sea to the continent of Kalimdor. There, he helped to finally free the orcs from the Legion’s damnation.

Since the day he became Warchief, Thrall has accomplished many feats: helping defeat the Burning Legion in the Third War, leading the many races of the Horde, reuniting with his ancestors on Outland, and finally, stepping down as Horde leader and joining the shaman of the Earthen Ring.

When the great Cataclysm tore Azeroth apart, Thrall appointed Garrosh Hellscream as Warchief in his stead.

Thrall worked to heal the wounded world, uniting with the great dragon Aspects and wielding the Dragon Soul to finally end Deathwing’s life.

In the dawn of the Age of Mortals, Thrall has taken a new role in teaching the young shaman of Azeroth and simply living in peace with his life-mate, Aggra, and his young son.

A slave no longer, Thrall has embraced his destiny, and the name his parents intended him to bear: Go’el.

A great warhammer originating with the Blackrock Clan on Draenor, Doomhammer was passed to Orgrim upon the death of his father, with these words:

“It is said that the last of the Doomhammer line will use it to bring first salvation and then doom to the orc people. Then it will pass into the hands of one who is not of the Blackrock clan, all will change again, and it will once again be used in the cause of justice.”

The prophecy came to pass. After using Doomhammer in the First and Second Wars, Orgrim bequeathed the weapon to Thrall as he died. Thrall has wielded the weapon with pride, and justice, ever since.

Upon Orgrim Doomhammer’s demise, Thrall immediately donned his black plate armor as the new Warchief of the Horde.

He made sure to restore—but not replace—the back plate pierced by the lance that took Doomhammer’s life.

When Thrall stepped down as Warchief in order to study the ways of the shaman, he cast aside his old armor, instead taking up garb more reflective of his new role.

"I straddle two worlds. I was raised by humans, but born an orc, and I have gleaned strength from both. I know both." –Thrall

"Let all that you do be done for the Horde." –Thrall

"No, old friend. You've freed us all." –Thrall

"If we are to fall, then so be it! At least now... we are free!" –Thrall

"Whatever comes, I know we will face it...together." –Thrall

Since the first in-game appearance of Thrall in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, many talented artists have sought to do justice to this iconic Hero. Below are fifteen fantastic pieces of fan art featuring Thrall, which were submitted by talented artists from around the globe.

While Thrall has led a turbulent life, his character and strength have had a long and impactful history within the Warcraft universe. Through his actions, former slave known as Thrall brought unity to the Horde, turning ravagers into architects and securing a future for his people. If you’re interested in learning more about this wise Warchief of the Horde, make sure to check out the following related content: